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Pelham faced its first true challenge of the fall, but the Pythons still punched their ticket to the state title game.
Kevin Bodenrader broke an 80-yard touchdown run with seven minutes left that proved to be the winning score, and Pelham rebounded after allowing a late score to hold off Monadnock 14-10 in the Division 3 state semifinals on Saturday afternoon.
The undefeated Pythons (7-0) advance to the Division 3 state title game, and will take on Stevens on Saturday. The time and location are TBA.
“I’m proud of the team for the hard fought victory,” said Pelham coach Tom Babaian. “This game was a defensive struggle, but we were able to eventually break some long runs for our two scores. Defensively, we were able to step up and make the stops we needed to make in critical situations, particularly on fourth down situations and the fourth-and-goal situation in the third quarter.”
Pelham took the lead in the first quarter on a 61-yard TD run by Jake Herrling.
After Monadnock cut into the advantage with a safety in the third, the Pythons made it 14-2 on Bodenrader’s TD run.
Monadnock struck for a late score, but Pelham twice forced the Huskies to turn the ball over on downs in the second half, including a goal-line stand.
The Pythons will next play for their first state title since winning back-to-back Division 5 titles in 2007-08.
“Next week’s game is for the title,” said Babaian, “so we need to understand that we have to be at our absolute best throughout the week of practice and carry that mentality and focus into the game.”

LACONIA — Jake Herrling had the game of his career Friday to pace Pelham to a 26-0 shutout at Laconia. 

Herrling scored three touchdowns, including two in the first quarter and rushed for 162 yards in just 12 carries. He capped Pelham's scoring with a 53-yard score in the third quarter.

PELHAM — Pelham may have lost its season-long shutout streak, but the Pythons still delivered another dominant win.

Jake Travis ran for three touchdowns, to lead the undefeated Pelham to a 34-13 victory over Milford on Friday night.

Pelham (4-0) has no outscored opponents 141-13 on the season, which includes three shutouts.

Travis, a first-year starting quarterback, opened the scoring with a 1-yard QB sneak touchdown in the first quarter, then added to it with another 1-yard run in the second.

After Jake Herrling opened the scoring in the third quarter with an 80-yard kickoff return touchdown, Tavis made it three TDs on the day, this time breaking a 54-yard score.

Ethan Demmonds closed out the scoring with an 11-yard TD to start the fourth quarter. Herrling (10 carries, 67 yards) and Demmons (13 carries, 57 yard) led the Python offense.

"This was a hard-fought game, and Milford played us tough as always," said Pelham coach Tom Babaian. "The weather dictated that we had to run offensively to be successful, and we were able to do that.

"Our defense was far from perfect but stepped up when it needed to.  We’ll get back to practice this week and focus on making more improvements and building upon this win.”

Pelham will look to complete an undefeated regular season when they travel to Laconia (0-3) on Saturday (7 p.m.)

PELHAM — Quarterback Jake Travis opened the game with an 18-yard touchdown run, running back Kevin Bodenrader rushed for a 14-yard score and Travis hit Bodenrader for a 34-yard touchdown, all before the first quarter ended, sending Pelham to a 40-0 drubbing of Campbell on Friday night.

The win was the second straight for the Pythons to open the season, outscoring opponents by a combined 82-0.

Travis got Pelham going fast on Friday, running for his TD just 1:42 into the game. Just 4:14 later, Bodenrader struck for his score, then the two connected on a passing TD with 0:18 left in the first.

Jake Herrling added an 18 yard touchdown run in the second, then in the third Ethan Demmons (12 yards) and Derek Muise (2 yards) closed out the scoring with TD runs.

Travis ran for a game-high 62 yards and was 6 of 10 throwing for 66 yards, and Demmons added 39 yards on the ground.

Pelham's defense allowed just 92 total yards, and just 39 yards rushing on 34 attempts.

"Our defense played hard and was able to notch the shutout," said Pythons coach Tom Babaian. We also made some improvements in the passing game. This was a good win, and now we have to turn our attention to a tough Trinity team (away) next week (Friday, 7 p.m.)”

PELHAM - Sophomore Ethan Demmons is apparently back to where he belongs.

And the Pelham football team is right back to where it was last year - winning football games.

The Pythons opened their season in rousing fashion Saturday night, crushing an injury-ravaged Sanborn team, 42-0. And Demmons was perhaps the biggest reason why.